The Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region borders countries such as Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
China is accused of committing human rights violations in Xinjiang. Among other things, at least one million Uighurs and members of other Muslim minorities are said to have been detained in mass internment camps. Beijing rejects these allegations, saying the centers serve as “vocational training” and that its policy in the region is aimed at combating terrorism and extremism.
It called for strengthening the sense of identity and community among all ethnic groups. To this end, greater efforts are needed to promote, communicate, research and interpret the idea of a “common community” of the Chinese nation.
The party’s regional committee also said the legal framework for regulating religious affairs needed to be improved.
Regarding the development of the region, it was said that the search for and development of oil and gas reserves must be accelerated. In addition, greater efforts must be made to use coal cleanly and efficiently, to develop green energy and to exploit strategic mineral resources.
The committee also called on the regional government to accelerate the development of a pilot free trade zone and projects with links to Central Asia.
In addition, the statement reflects a promise made last week by Yin Bai, chairman of the Central Political and Legal Commission, which is responsible for security and law enforcement in China, to prevent and resist “color revolutions.”
According to Xinjiang Daily, the regional committee also voted on Saturday to expel former Xinjiang deputy security chief Ma Guoqiang from the party. Ma, 51, was investigated for corruption in August last year. He has worked mainly in Aksu prefecture in Xinjiang, where a dozen officials have been investigated for corruption in recent years.
In March, Dou Wangui – Ma’s former boss in Aksu and vice chairman of the Xinjiang Political Advisory Council – was also investigated for corruption.